Freshman Stallion Feature: First Defence

Note: 1 Freshman Stallion is featured every other week (whenever there is not a Pedigree Look). They might be well known, they might not be. As the year goes on, I will be updating their posts with information on their foals and how they are doing. Today's post is on the Unbridled's Song stallion First Defence.


Four years before First Defence (Unbridled's Song) broke onto the scene, his uncle Empire Maker (Unbridled) broke my heart when he defeated Funny Cide (Distorted Humor) in the Belmont. In the 2007 King's Bishop, it looked like he was going to break my heart as he had collered the Derby runner up that year Hard Spun (Danzig) in the stretch. However, the latter had too much class for him and was able to pull away for a length score. Still, he showed that he was the real deal.


Before his runner up finish in the King's Bishop, First Defence won the Monmouth prep for the Haskell the Long Branch over Get Serious. Eventually, he would win the Jaipur on the grass and the Forego on dirt before ending his career with a 8th place finish in the BC Sprint. 


Sire


Unbridled's Song (Unbridled) won the 1995 BC Juvenile and 2 Derby preps (FL Derby and Wood Memorial) before finishing 5th behind Grindstone. He would skip the Preakness and Belmont to finish second in the Peter Pan. He wouldn't win again until his career finale in the 1997 Olympic Handicap. Despite having notoriously bad feet, Unbridled's Song has gone onto have a successful stud career. Among of his many successful sons and daughters are BC Distaff winner Unbridled Elaine, BC Ladies Classic winner Unrivled Belle, Belmont runner up Dunkirk, Remsen winner (and personal favorite) Rockport Harbor, Derby runner up Eight Belles, BC Juvenile winner Midshipman and many more.


His sire Unbridled (Fappiano) won both the Kentucky Derby and Breeders' Cup Classic as a three year old. He went onto have a remarkable stud career that included horses such as Broken Vow, Empire Maker, Banshee Breeze, Anees, Grindstone and Halfbridled.


His dam, Trolley Song (Caro (IRE)), one once in seven starts. Her second highest earning foal is Ormelie (IRE) (Jade Hunter).


Dam


Honest Lady (Seattle Slew) was bred to going two turns, but did her best at 1 turn. She won the Santa Monica and finished second to the boys in both the BC Sprint and the Met Mile. First Defence is her highest earner.


Her sire Seattle Slew (Bold Reasoning) won the Triple Crown in 1978 and is the only one to do it undefeated. He is the sire of A.P. Indy, Swale, Slew O Gold, among others.


Her dam Toussaud (El Gran Senor) is a G1 winner on the grass. Her best foals other then Honest Lady include Belmont Stakes winner (and TC spoiler) Empire Maker (Unbridled), Arlington Million winner Chester House (Mr. Prospector) and G2 winner Decarchy (Distant View). Toussaud is a full sister to G2 winner Navarra (El Gran Senor) who is the dam to G1 placed and Argentinian superstar sire Indygo Shiner (A.P Indy).


Expectation: With horses by sons of Unbridled's Song, you have to be really careful with possible notrious feet issues that UBS might pass along. Especially with this guy, since the end of his uncle's career was hampered by a foot injury. My hope is that his foals perfer 2 turns over 1, however my guess is with the mares that he got they are more 1 turn specialists. First Defence stands at Juddmonte and stood this season for $7,500.


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